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Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Flood-hit people of Yasin valley still in shelters

Umalsat after flood: photo by Opera

GILGIT: Over 15,000 affected people of Yasin valley who lost everything in last year`s floods are still awaiting help from the government and are being fed by the relief items donated by the international agencies.

This was disclosed by Mohammad Madad Shah, chairman, coordination committee of Yasin valley of the Ghizer district, while addressing a press conference here on Monday.

Mr Shah flanked by dozens of other villagers criticised the district administration for bungling and corruption in distribution of edibles and other relief items.

He said whenever they tried to protest for their rights they were threatened of dire consequences and asked to vacate the government buildings where they had taken shelter.

The villagers also criticised the Aga Khan building improvement service for setting up low quality shelters for them. He said 400 families were without homes and were residing in shelters set up by the NGOs.

Mr Shah alleged most Watan Cards were issued to undeserving people and the accounts of the needy people who got the cards were without money. He further stated the assistance through Benazir Income Support Programme was also benefiting the influential people.

He said the relief items dispatched for the affected people by the relief agencies were misappropriated by the government departments.

Mr Shah demanded of the government to build protective bunds along the river banks to save rest of the area. They also demanded that the government investigate the misappropriation in relief distribution and prepare a fresh list of the real affected people.